Magneto



Patented Nov. 25, 1930 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CURT FREDERICK REIS, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR TO EXCEL MAGNETG COM- PANY, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS MAGNETO Application filed November This invention relates to magnetos and particularly to an end-plate construction adapted to function as a unitary distributor housing and breaker housing, the breaker housing being-also arranged to form an end closure for the magneto rotor.

In magnetos of the prior art it has been customary either to construct the distributor as a separate element, driven from the generator shaft or from the shaft of the Water pump of the vehicle on which the magneto is used, or to construct the magneto end-plate in the form of a closure ,covering over one end of the chamber containing the hightension coils and carrying a series of binding posts to which the spark plug cables are connected. Both of these methods are objectionable because in the first case the distributor housing often becomes broken or cracked and the construction is such that the entire unit has to be replaced even though only a small portion of it be damaged. The same objection applies to a construction in which the magneto end-plate carries contact terminals.

One of the objects of this invention is to form an end-plate of molded insulating material in such manner that it functions as a distributor housing, a rotor end-plate, and a circuit-breaker housing.

A further object of the invention is to mount on the distributor-housing portion of the end-plate, a plurality of distributor plugs which are in removable relation to the housing and are locked securely in place.

Another object of the invention resides in making the distributor plugs removable so that in case a single one of them is damaged it can be replaced without disturbing the remainder of the plugs.

Further objects of the invention will appear from the following specification when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawing; in which Figure 1 is a view in front elevation of one form of end-plate construction embodying the invention.

Figure 2 is a vertical sectional view of the end-plate, showing the manner in which the distributor plugs are locked in place..

16, 1929. Serial No. 407,787.

Figure 3 is an enlarged sectional view of a portion of the end-plate, the section being taken on the line 33 of Figure 2; and

Figure l is a side elevational view of one of the distributor plugs as it appears when removedfrom the distributor housing. Referring to the drawing, thereference character 5 designates a magneto end-plate which may be composed of any suitable moldable insulating material such as phenolic condensation product or the like. The end-plate 5 comprises an upper portion 6 adapted to function as a distributor housing, a lower portion 7 enclosing the magneto rotor and a metal breaker housing 8.

The end plate 5 is substantially cup-shaped at its upper end and is formed in any suitable manner to surround and inclose the end of a magneto of conventional design and construction. The distributor housing 6 is substantially plane and, as here shown, contains a plurality of bosses 6 each containing a threaded opening adapted to receive a dis tributor plug 9. Thesepl-ugs are made of suitable insulating material and each of them comprises a tapered outer portion 10, a flattened portion 11 terminating in a shoulder 21, and a reduced inner portion 12 threaded at 13. Each plug 9 contains an opening pass ing entirely through it and comprising a cylindrical chamber 14 and a portion 9 of reduced cross section. Chamber 14 is adapted to receive a metallic insert 15 which is tightly fitted therein, and this insert 15 contains an annular groove 16 serving as an anchoring means for the end of a spark plug cable when such cable is forced into it. The portion 9 of the opening through the plug 9, is adapted to receive a contact member 17 having its inner end 18 projecting beyond the insulated portion of the plug, and electrically connected to the cup-like bottom of the insert 15 as by rivet-ing 19. The ends 18 of the plugs are adapted to cooperate with the distributor rotor, which preferably rotates in spaced relation to them, the air gap usually bein between five and ten thousandths of an inch. The spark plug cables are shown in dotted lines in Figure 2, but the distributor rotor is omitted for the sake of simplification- The inserts are preferably formed of brass and the contact members 17 of copper because it is found that this arrangement reduces the corrosion which often results in contacts of this type, from chemical action taking lace between the metals. Furthermore, t e wear on inserts 15 is much less when they are formed of brassthan when formed of copper.

When the plugs 9 are screwed into the threaded openings in bosses 6 a lock washer 20 is preferably placed between theshoulder 21 on the plug, and the bosses. During use,

particularly on automotive vehicles, magmanner as bv cap netos are subjected to severe strains and vibration so that the plugs 9 might easily become loosened so as to interfere with the electrical circuits of the vehicle or to render them ineficient or inoperative. This contingency curely held there by a nut 27. It will be clear that with this locking plate placed in position and nut 27 tightened, rotation of the plugs 9 is absolutely precluded, and yet the plate may be removed readily at any time to permit removal or replacement of one or all of the plugs.

The lower portion 7 of end plate 5 comprises a cup-shaped extension 28 adapted to embrace and hold the rotor bearing for the magneto and to closely surround the rotor shaft at 29.

The breaker housing 8 is formed integrally with both the distributor housing and the rotor housing, and projects slightly from the front face of the end-plate at 30, so that a breaker housing cover of standard construction may be applied thereto. The entire endplate may be held in position in anysmtable screws inserted in openings 31 in the plate.

So far as I am aware I am thefirst to construct a unitary distributor housing, breaker housing, and rotor end-plate of molded insulating material, with the distributor plugs removably placed in position. This construction is very simple because the entire end-plate can be molded in a single operation with the studs 24 secured in position. Hence to complete the construction it 1s only necessary to make the distributor plugs separately, and to thread them into the end plate and apply the locking means. Not

only can this end plate be manufactured cheaply, but also it is waterproof and capable of standing more strain than other constructions. It is also advantageous .in that any one of the plugs may be replaced in case of breakage, whereas with constructions of the prior art it would be necessary to replace the entire distributor end-plate or distributor cap, if a singleone of the plugs should be broken. Particular stress is placed upon this point because during insertion and removal of the spark plug cables breakage of the plugs is of frequent occurrence, and exposes the contacts within them to the entrance of-water, dirt, oil and other accumulations which. are seriously detrimental to the operation of a magneto or of the electrical circuits connected therewith. By the present construction such failures are materially reduced if not entirely eliminated, because any defects can be quickly and easily remedied without the services of a skilled mechanic.

Although there is shown and described herein only one form of magneto embodying the invention it will be obvious that various changes may be made in the details thereof, within the scope of the appended claims, without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Having fully described the invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In a magneto a combined endplate, distributor housing and breaker housing constructed of molded insulating material.

2. In a magneto a molded end-plate con structed and arranged to act as unitary circuit breaker housing and distributor housing.

3. In a magneto a molded member comprising a magneto end-plate constructed and arranged to enclose the distributor rotor and magneto rotor, removable distributor plugs carried by said plate, and a breaker housing molded in said plate.

4. In a magneto a molded member com prising a magneto end-plate constructed and arranged to enclose the distributor rotor and magneto rotor, removable distributor plugs carried by said end-plate, means for locking said plugs in position, and a breaker housing molded in said plate.

5. A magneto end-plate comprising a first portion adapted to function as a distributor housing, distributor plugs removably mounted in said portion, means for locking said plugs in operative relation to said plate, a second portion integral with said first portion and arranged to enclose the magneto rotor, and a breaker housing molded in integral relation to both of said portions.

6. A magneto end-plate composed of molded insulating material and comprising adistributor housing, a plurality of distributor plugs removably mounted in said housing, means for locking said plugs against rotation, and a combined rotor end-plate and breaker housing integral with said distributor housing.

7. A magneto end-plate comprising a cover portion of molded insulating material, a plurality of distributor plugs removably' mounted in said portion, a locking late associated with said plugs, and means or holding said plate in looking relation to said p 8. A magneto end-plate comprising a cover port-ion of molded insulating material, a plurality of distributor plugs removably -mounted in said portion, and means for looking said plugs against rotation.

CURT FREDERICK BEIS. 

